Smart Textiles Workshop

A joint workshop exploring the development and application of light emitting textiles for fashion and health was hosted by between IMI and the EPRSC Smart Textiles Network on the evening of the 24th and 25th of January 2006.

The workshop aimed to explore possible synergies between science, technology, materials and fashion in the form of new multi-disciplinary partnerships as the basis for novel research into the application of smart textiles in healthcare and fashion.

Reflecting the important influences that fashion and materials can have on people’s psychology and well being, this workshop explored functional and psychological requirements for, as well as applications of materials in, the domains of fashion and health. Light-emitting and colour-changing textiles would allow people to dynamically change the aesthetics of their clothing to suit their mood, their style, etc., allowing them to be creative and expressive in new ways. Light-emitting and colour-changing smart textiles is currently an open space for development, as is the application of fashion and design thinking to health concerns.

This workshop brought together leading researchers from many disciplines and innovative companies across the four participating universities and beyond. Keynote speakers introduced trends, drivers and associated design and technological issues around the application of colour changing/light emitting textiles to fashion and health (presentations available).

Facilitated discussion enabled participants to explore and map potential collaborative research scenarios between science, engineering, psychology, design and other disciplines in the domains of fashion and health.

The workshop approach also emphasis inter-disciplinarity as the cornerstone to developing and exploiting fundamental and applied research. Innovative approaches to facilitation were used with the aim of exploring new ways of generating a common understanding and language to explore possible research questions scenarios and outcomes.

The workshop report (PDF) is available… Information on follow up activities will be posted on this section of the website.

Speakers at the event included:

Find out more about our Smart Textiles Theme here.

The following are available to download: